







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Do you want me to make you a cup of tea or coffee? | |
| It says best before 25th of February. | |
| Thanks, yeah, as I said, Camden is in zone-2... | |
| But their room is almost double the size of our room! | |
| Hello guys, you must be Cate, I'm Joseph. | |
| Congratulations... But is Pogo a pet's name? | |
| Do you want the tray in the middle? | |
| Hang on, there is another web site that says... | |
| Unfortunately, she is a teenager, she is 19! | |
| Girls, this is Diego. | |
| I live just opposite the pub. | |
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | |
| Did you say Russia? That's unusual! | |
| Are there any fries or any kind of snacks? | |
| By the way, the deposit is £3,000 and non-negotiable... | |
| Thanks for being thoughtful, dear. | |
| Can you show me which clothes I need to put away, then? | |
| Do you live around here? | |
| Yes, I have got two sisters. | |
| Isn't it faster taking the tube? | |